Machine for writing a plurality of signatures



April 28, 1931. D. w. HEMMING MACHINE FOR WRITING A PLURALITY OF SIGNATURES Filed May 3, 1928 -3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

April 28, 1931.

D. W. HEMMINGk MACHINE FOR WRITING A PLURALITY OF SIGNATURES Filed May 3. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll Il lun Y INVENTOR. DANIEL w. HEMMING l oRNEYS.

April 28, 1931. D. w. HEMMING MACHINE FOR WRITING Al PLURALITY OF SIGNATURES Filed May 3, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 TTO INVENTOR 'DANIEL W. HEMM ING Patented Apr. 28, 1931 D STATES PATENT ori-"ICE DANIEL vW. HEMMING, F WOODCLIEF, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SIGNATURE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MACHINE FOR WRITING A PLURALITY OF SIGNATURES Application filed May 3, 1928. Serial No. 274,847.

' The present invention relates to improvements in machines for simultaneously writing a plurality of signatures of the type designed for desk use in the signing of checks,

Y 5 warrants and similar instruments. Machines of this type are illustrated inthe patents of F.` A. Johnson Nos. 1,080,346V and 1,080,347, dated December 2, 1913, and the present invention is an improvement upon V the machines of said patents and especially of Patent No. 1,080,347 in which the writing machine is mounted in a box-like housing which serves as a supporting frame for the machine while the hinged cover of the hous- .ing constitutes the writing platen.

The machine of the present invention embodies many featuresin common with the machines of the above named patents. The improvements of the `present invention are 20 designed to simplify the construction of this type of machine with particular reference to improved means for securely locking the operative parts of the mechanism in compact folded position within the box or housing e when the machine is not in-use, and also to an improvedvform of compensating spring balance for the pen carrying frame and certain other minor improvements which will be pointed out in the following specifications.

In order that the invention may be fully understood it will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the patentable novelty thereafter clearly pointed out in the annexedk claims. Y v

InV said drawings Figure 1 is a front view ofthe improved plural writing machine with the cover of the box-like housing open and the writing mechanism in operative 'or 'writing position;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the machine taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing in full lines the operative parts of the machine folded up and locked within the box-like housing, and,in dotted lines, the parts in their operative position, as shown in Figure 1; 1

' Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 taken from the o-pposite end of the machine representing in full lines an intermediate position of the parts with the pen bar in raised posiof the writing mechanism and the combining V lock looking in the direction of arrow 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detail planview of the combined hasp and pen bar rest in its cover securing position;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of the mounting of the supported arm upon the swinging rock shaft to which the counterbalancing spring of the pen carrying frame is attached. v

TheboX-like housing indicated at 1 with cover 2 hinged at 3 is substantially the same as illustrated in the above named Patent No. 1,080,347. Therhousing for the present machine is, however, made relatively a little deeper than that shown in said patent to better accommodate the movements of the pen carrying frame in the writing operation, the mechanism in the present machine being rigidly mounted in the housing in readiness for operation without the complication of the eX- tensible supporting brackets that are movable into and out of operative position in the machineof Patent No. 1,080,347. The means for supporting the boX-likehousing in horizontal position and the toggle links for locking the platen cover in open horizontal position are substantially the same as shown Ain the last-named patent referred to.

A rigid steel bar 10 constitutes the main support for the writing mechanism. This bar is securely clamped to the inner surface of the top of the housing 1 by means of clamps 11 engaged by hand-operated screws 12'which pass. through the housing top and are threaded into the clamps. This support for the bar 10 affords means for adjusting the mechanism longitudinally in the housing to present the-writing members in the desired relation to checks or other instruments to be signed presented in a stack or pile upon the cover platen.

Secured to the main supporting bar are the downwardly and forwardly presented brackets rigidly braced by a spacing bai' 16. In the forward ends of the brackets 15 arev mounted the cone-pointed pivot screws 17 on which is axially pivoted the rock shaft 20 carrying the rigidly attached depending arms 21 braced near their lower ends by the bar 22. Axially pivoted iii the lower ends of the depending arms 21 is the swinging rock shaft 25 to which are pivoted the yoke shaped rear ends of horizontal links 27 which in turn carry in their forward yoked ends by means of similar pivotal connections the pen bar 3() upon which a plurality of writing menibers 31 are adjustably mounted in any suitable manner such as fully set forth in th above-mentioned patents.

35 (Fig. 1) is the pilot handle having the adjustable universal joint connection with the end of the pen bar 30 as in the machines of the patents referred to.

Secured to and projecting downwardly from one of the brackets 15 is an auxiliary bracket secured by machine screws 41 and formed with a forwardlyv presented iange 42 inclined slightly to the vertical longitudinal plane of the machine. Secured to this inclined liange 42 is a yoke-sliaped bracket 45 which is supported in the inclined plane of flange 42 and in addition is set with the alignment of its bearing lugs (presently to be referred to) at a slight inclination to the vertical transverse plane of the machine. This bracket 45 is formed with forwardly presented bearing lugs 46 in which is freely journalled a bearing pin 47 upon which is securely mounted the spaced lugs 48 formed on the rear end of a swinging crane-like arm 50. A light coil spring 51 surrounds pin 47 with its opposite ends engaging respectively with bracket 45 and the swinging arm 50,

to give the arm a light spring tendency to move rearwardly into the housing.

A long spiral spring 55 is connected at its upper end to the outer end of swinging arm 50, and, at its lower end, to an arm 56 adjustably mounted upon and carried by the swinging rock-shaft 25. rElie arm 56 is formed with a curved rear end or bracket 57 wardly extending portion of bolt 58 and thereby affording means to adjust the angular position of arm 56 upon rock-shaft 25. This adjustment regulates the tension of spring 55 to aiord more or less yielding support for the pen carrying frame during the writing operation, it being understood that the pen carrying frame comprises the pen bar 30 and the supporting arms 27, and swinging rock-shaft 25.

The importance of the described mounting of swinging arm 50 upon an axis inclined t with reference to the vertical longitudinal plane and also the vertical transverse plane of the machine is the automatic compensation for the changing distance between the fixed rock-shaft 20 and the arm 56 which supports the pen carrying frame. As the pen carrying bar moves toward and away from the vertical plane of fixed rock-shaft 20, the swinging arm 50 raises and lowers at its free end and thereby maintains a practically uniform counter-balancing spring support for the pen carrying frame in all of its varying positions.

Y The fixed rock-shaft-20 carries adjacent to one end a rock arm to which is attached one end of a spring 66 extending from a pin 67 mounted upon one of the brackets 15. This spring 66 serves as a counterbalance for the swinging frame 21 in its forward and backward movements; the action of the spring being exerted upon the cone pivot at one end of rock-shaft 20 approximately parallel to the writing plane, so that any wear or faulty adjustment of the pivot will not disturb the finely adjusted writing relation of the pens in the writing plane. In this respect the arrangement of the counterbalancing spring in the present machine is superior to the counterbalanciiig spring in the machines of the .above-named patents, in

that said spring in the patented machines acts approximately perpendicularly to the writing plane and'tends to throw the pen bar out of parallel relation to the'writing plane when the rock-shaft pivot becomes worn.

70 is a rod or bar mounted at its rear end upon a block 71 secured tothe main supporting bar 10 and projecting forwardly therefrom above the fixed rock-shaft 20. The for" ward end of this bar 70 is shaped into a head 72 upon which the pen bar 8O may rest when elevated and temporarily out of use, as shown in full lines in Figure 3 of t-he drawings.

Secured to the rear face of bearing bracket 45, above referred to', is the lug 75 projecting upwardly and inclined forwardly from a stop bar 76 which is supported by its mounting in a horizontal plane a short distance beneath the fixed rock-shaft 20. The forward-l end of this stop bar 76 is formed with a shallow curved recess 77 (Fig. 5) to receive one of the arms 27 of the pen carrying frame when said frame is folded up into the housing, the recess of said stop bar not only-limit- `ing the rear movement of said pen carrying plate pivoted at its rear end 81 upon theY under face of stop-bar 76 and projecting forwardly beneath the stop-bar and formed with a laterally presented socket 82, the forward jaw of which indicated at 8.3 is designed to engage a part of the arm 27 holding it in the recessed end of stop bar 7 6, while the rear jaw 84 is designed to engage the rear edge of one of the depending rock arms 21 and prevent its rearward movement. In this locked position the rock arms 21 rest along side the stop-bar 76. The engaging faces of jaws 83 and 84 may be slightly curved or camshaped to more effectively engage the parts referred to for securely holding the swinging frame and pen carrying frame in folded up position within the housing, as clearly shown in Figures- 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

This locking lever 80 is preferably provided with an operating handle 85 which is presented in convenient position for handoperation, and also with a latching device for holding the member 8O either in its locked position or in its released position. Any suitableA latch may be used for this purpose, but the device shown has proven satisfactory, it consisting of a latch lever pivoted at 91 upon the under surface of the locking bar 80 along side of a transverse slot 86 through which projects a pin 87 mounted in stop-bar 76. The latching lever 90 is formed with two recesses 92, 93, separated by a cam projection 94, a spring connecting the end of the latching lever with a pin 96 so as to hold the latch yieldingly in engagement with the pin 87, and thereby hold the locking lever 80 in either of its positions. The locking lever 80 can be moved readily from one position to the other, the spring pressed latch yielding to allow for the movement, the engagement between the latch 90 and pin 87 shifting from one recess to the other when the locking lever is moved.

A hasp 100 is hinged at 101 to a securing plate 102 which is securely fastened to the top of the housing 1 adjacent to its front edge. The hinged portion of the hasp 100 may be formed with angularly arranged squared faces to be engaged by suitable spring (not shown) to give it a spring snap and hold it either in locked or unlocked position. The hasp 100 `is formed with a forwardly and downwardly projecting lip 105 (Fig. 1)

which fits over the upper edge. of the coverV 2 when the cover is in closed position and holds the cover in this closed position. A slot 106 (Fig. 3) in hasp 100 receives an eyebolt or plate 110 projecting from the top' of the housing,- said eye-bolt being adapted to receive a lock such as a padlock for locking the boX or housing in its closed condition.

In addition to the function of holding the `cover in closed position, the hinged hasp 100 is preferably formed with a recess 111 in its forward upper edge when in its raised unlocked position to afford a rest for the pen bar 30, the pen bark being shown (in dotted lines) elevated and resting in the 4recessed edge of the hasp 100 in Figure 3 of the drawings. This pen bar rest affords a convenient support for the pen-carrying frame when the operation of signing checks or documents is interrupted such as when a new supply of such documents is being placed in position upon the cover or writing platen. The penbar may also be supported upon the bar 70 above referred to, but during a temporary interruption the pen rest upon the'hasp y100 will be found somewhat more convenient. This member 100, constructed as described, serves the double function of a lock for the box or housing and a supporting rest for the pen-carrying frame. l

It will be observed' that the writing mechanism can be compactly folded up and securely fastened within the enclosing bon.Y or housing. In this operation the pilot handle 35 is first turned inwardly toward the housing and the pe11'carrying frame' is then raised upon the swinging rock-shaft 25, the penbar 30 being placed above the supporting rod or bar 70. Y This operation presents the upperor vrearward face of the left hand link 27 of the pen-carrying frame in the recessed forward end of stop-bar 76, the outer or upper yoke ends-of the links 27 resting against the fixed rock-shaft 20 and the left hand depending arm 2l extending downwardly alongside of the stop-bar 76. Holding the parts in the described position by hand, the locking plat-e 80 is shifted tothe left to engage depending arm 21 and the link 27, thereby securely locking the mechanism in this folded up or stored position within the housing. The platen cover V is then closed and secured bythe combined hasp and lpen rest 100. l

When it is desired to use the instrument, the cover plateny is opened and secured in horizontal position. The locking plate 80 is then 'shifted to the right to release the engaged arm 21 and link 27. of the mechanism by thelock will permit the pen carrying frame to slide forwardly slightly upon the supporting bar 70 until arrested by engagement of the pen bar with the head 72 of saidsupporting bar. The documents to be signed are then arranged yupon the cover platen and the operator lifts the pen-bar over the headed end of the, sup- This release I erly arranged above the documents -to be signed.

I claim s 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a writing platen, and a pen-carrying frame mounted for universal movement over said writing platen, with a counter-balancing device comprising a spring-supporting arm pivoted to move over and above the plane of the writing platen, and a spring connecting said pen-carrying frame with said supporting arm, said spring being adapted by the movements of said pen-carrying frame to vary the position of said arm.

2. In a machine of the character described, theL combination of a writing platen, and a pen-carrying frame mounted for universal movement over'the writing platen, with a compensating counter-balancing device comprising a spring-supporting arm pivoted to move in a plane inclined to the plane of the writing platen, and a spring connecting said pen-carrying frame with said supporting arm, said spring-supporting arm being movable through the intermedium of said spring by the writing movements of said pen-carrying frame.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rocking frame, a pencarrying frame including a rock-shaft freely pivoted in said rocking frame, and a pen bar connected with said rock-shaft for universal movement in a horizontal plane, of a spring-supporting arm pivotedv upon an axis to swing over and above the writing plane of the machine, ajsecond arm projecting from said rock-shaft and formed with a curved rear end embracingr said rock-shaft and adjustable thereon, a rod projecting from said rock-shaft, an adjusting nut threaded upon said rod and engaging said second arm, and a spring connecting said arms for counterbalancing the weight of said pen-carrying frame.

il. In a machine of the character described, the combination of 'a rocking frame, a pencarrying frame including a rock-shaft freely pivoted in said rocking frame, a pen bar connected with said rock-shaft for universal movement in a horizontal plane, a radial arm carri-ed by said rock shaft, a springsupporting arm pivoted upon an vaxis to swing over and above the writing plane of .the machine, a spring connecting said arms for counter-balancing the weight of said pen-carrying frame, a rod projecting from said rock-shaft, said radialarm being angularly adjustable upon said rock-shaft and slotted to receive and'guide upon said rod, a spring arranged between said rock-shaft and saidr radial arm, and an adjusting nut upon said rod engaging said radial arm.

5. In' a machine of the character described, the combination with a suspended said portion of the pen-carrying frame within said recess whereby said frame is held against displacement.longitudinally of the machine and retained in fclded position.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a suspended rocking frame, a counter-balanced pen-carrying frame including a rock-shaft freely .pivoted in said suspended frame, and a penbar connected with said rock-shaft for universal movement in a horizontal plane, said lpen-bar being adapted to be folded up against said suspended rocking frame for storage, and a loci ing member provided with spaced jaws adapted respectively to engage portions of said rocking and pen-carrying frames in folded position.

'7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a swinging suspension frame comprising a rock-shaft pivoted above the writing plane and axiallyspaced arms depending from said rock-shaft, a pantographic pen-carrying frame including a rock-shaft pivotedr in the depending ends of said axially-spaced arms, a pen-bar provided with pens, and a pair of links pivoted to and connecting the second-mentioned rock-shaft and said pen-bar, said pen-bar and links being adapted to be folded against said swinging frame, and means for holding said pen and links in folded position, said means including a fixed stop arranged to enguage said pantographic frame in folded position and a locking member movable upon said fixed stop in position to engage and hold said swinging frame and pantographic frame in folded position.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a depending swinging frame comprising a rock-shaft pivoted in fixed bearings and arms rigidlvsecured to and depending from said rock-shaft, a counter-balanced ,swinging rock-shaft pivoted in the free ends of said depending` arms, a pen bar having a plurality of pens mounted thereon, a pair of links pivoted to and connecting said swinging rock-shaft and said pen bar, a fixed stop which engages one of said links in folded position, and a locking member pivotally mounted upon said fixed stop and formed with jaws adapted to engage respectively with one of said depending arms and one of said links to hold the mechanism folded up in inoperative position.

.75 movable into and out of position to retain ICQ 9. ln 'a machine of the character described, the combination of a suspended rocking frame, a counter-balanced pantographie Y pen-carrying frame freely pivoted m said suspended frame and adapted to be folded thereupon for storage, means for counterbalancing said pantographic pen-carrying frame, a fixed stop to engage a part of said pen-carrying frame in folded position, and a locking plate pivoted upon said fixed stop and formed with jaws arranged to engage parts of said suspended frame and said pencarrying frame and hold them against movement.

l0. In a machine ofthe character de scribed, the combination of a suspended rocking frame, a counter-balanced pantographic pen-carrying frame freely pivoted in said suspended frame and adapted to be folded thereupon for storage, means for counter-balancing said pantographic pencarrying frame, a fixed stop to engage a part of said pen-carrying frame, a locking plate pivoted upon said fixed stop and formed Y with jaws arranged to engage parts of said suspended frame and said pen-carrying frame and hold them against movement, and a double acting latch arranged to secure said locking plate in either open or locking position. v

DANIEL W. HEMMING. 

